City chairman Gordon Gibb is astonished by the progress the club has made bringing on its youngsters.

The young guns are led by the immensely-talented 18-year-old Simon Francis, who is tipped by Gibb to go right to the top.

"This is a very rewarding part of my job," said Gibb. "I'm astounded by the strides we have made. I made it clear in August that this was a key area.

"Simon Francis has acquitted himself extremely well. By the end of the season he will have 20-25 first-team apparances in Division One - a superb record for one so young."

Locally-born teenager Lewis Emanuel, who missed Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Brighton at the Bradford & Bingley Stadium, is in line for a comeback against Coventry at the weekend after recovering from a hamstring injury.

He had started 13 out of 14 of City's previous league games and the former Hanson Schoolboy was enjoying life out on the left flank.

Mark Bowyer and Danny Forrest, both young locals, are also in the first-team picture.

But as far as Francis is concerned - he already has international interest.

England under-18 manager Martin Hunter was at the ground on Saturday to watch him. Gibb says: "Who wouldn't be impressed by him?"

Francis was only drafted in at the start of the game on Saturday when Robert Molenaar injured himself during the warm-up.

Hunter saw the lad put in a hard-working display and smack the bar as City chased an equaliser.

The teenager won an under-18 international cap when he came on as substitute for England against France in October - before he had made his league debut for City.

Don't bet against him being rewarded with future international honours at higher levels.

It is Francis' first season at City. He signed on scholarship terms after studying at South Notts Community College.

l City are in line for a £40,000 cash boost - thanks to a clause in the £350,000 transfer of Isaiah Rankin to Division Two strugglers Barnsley, who will have to pay out the cash if Rankin plays two more matches.